In case you haven't noticed, London has itself some excellent cocktail spots. So good, in fact, that each year it dedicates an entire week to them.
London Cocktail Week is back. It's running from 3rd-8th October and, over those six days, 250 bars across the capital will be holding events, parties, masterclasses and, most importantly, offering discounts and deals on their cocktails.
To go, you'll need to purchase the digital wristband. It's £10 but, with cocktails priced at just £6, you'll (sort of) make your money back very quickly.
Here are the events we're most excited about.
Le Calbar x Seymour's Parlour Bar Swap
As one of Paris' finest bars, Le Calbar is known for creating startlingly innovative cocktails, not to mention the fact that, well, the bartenders don't wear any trousers.
For one night only during Cocktail Week they'll be taking over Seymour's Parlour Bar in the Zetter Townhouse in Marylebone and serving a whole bunch of delicious cocktails. Gin lovers should try From Calbar with Love, made with Star of Bombay gin, lime juice, spiced pineapple syrup, Pedro Ximenez ‘El Candado’ and egg white, while those looking for something a bit more spicy should check out the The Roof is on Fire, a fiery concoction of Patron Silver tequila, Chipotle Chilli syrup, fresh mint, lime, and Szechuan pepper.
Le Calbar x Seymour's Parlour Bar Swap, Wednesday 4th October, Zetter Townhouse Marylebone. Book a table to ensure entry here.
The Sun Tavern x Dead Rabbit
Those of you in the know will be aware that New York's Dead Rabbit is renowned for having some of the very best cocktails in the world. In fact, it was voted world's best bar in 2015 and 2016.
On Wednesday, they're taking over the Sun Tavern for a night of cèilidh dancing, Slane Irish Whiskey and three of Dead Rabbit's beverage director, Jillian Vose's best creations. Personally, we're after the God Is A DJ, made from toasted sesame-infused Slane Irish Whiskey, pale cream sherry, banana syrup, maple syrup, lemon, and pimento bitters. Cocktails are £6.
It's first come, first in, so make sure you get down there early. Although the menu does continue throughout October if you miss out.
The Sun Tavern x Dead Rabbit, Wednesday 4th October, The Sun Tavern, Bethnal Green.
Belvedere Single Estate Rooms
If you're willing to spend a bit extra, the Belvedere Single Estate Rooms are set to feature an entire Polish forest, indoors, in the middle of east London. Oh, and cocktails too. Many cocktails.
These two cocktail-making masterclasses are £30 each but for that price you get the masterclass, four cocktails, canapés and entry to the Estate Rooms private bar.
Belvedere Single Estate Rooms Cocktail Masterclasses, Thursday 5th October at 6.30-7.30pm and 8-9pm and Friday 6th October at 6.30-7.30pm and 8-9pm, Motel Studios, Clerkenwell. Book tickets here.
Trash Tiki
Because we're responsible human beings, 2017 signals the return of the Trash Tiki pop-up to LCW.
On all week in Hoxton, Trash Tiki will make its food and drink exclusively from materials donated by people from the London Cocktail Week Village which otherwise would have gone to waste. Their mission? To #drinklikeyougiveafuck
Trash Tiki, 3rd-8th October, Hoxton. For more info click here.
Photo: Via @foodrepublic
Bad Sports x Candelaria
First things first, Bad Sports' tacos are exquisite. Especially, my friends, the lamb barbacoa. So what happens when you pair said tacos with the cocktails from Candelaria - Paris' very first authentic taqueria and agave spirit bar? Only good things.
Fingers crossed Candelaria bring their La Pata Sola cocktail, which is named for a beautiful one-legged woman who calls out to men to seduce them, then turns into an evil vampiric beast and attacks and murders them. It sounds, um, spicy.
Bad Sports x Candelaria, Friday 8th October, Bad Sports, Hoxton. Free entry; first come, first served.
Photo: Via @whiskynlace
Into The Wild Dinners with Botanist Gin
Held at the, quite frankly, always delicious Sager + Wilde restaurant in Bethnal Green, these dinners feature a three-course meal inspired by foraging and exploration (venison ragu, cocoa tagliatelle and pine oil anyone?). Each course is paired with a different Botanist Gin cocktail.
It is at the pricier end – £45 – but when the food and drink is this good, it's worth it.
Into The Wild Dinners with Botanist Gin, 3rd-6th October, Sage + Wilde, Bethnal Green, book tickets here.
Hendrick's Gin Immersive Experience
To tie things up at the weekend, Hendrick's is turning east London's The Golden Pineapple into a vintage airline departure lounge. Along the way you'll experience "a series of innovative therapies, treatments and polite diversions".
It's all very mysterious.
Hendrick's Air Departure Lounge, 7th-8th October, The Golden Pineapple, east London. Register here.
Grey Goose at The Ned
If you've been looking for a reason to go to Soho House's newest offering; the sumptuous and much-Instagrammed The Ned, then give it a go this week as they're doing a different Grey Goose cocktail every night in the non-member bars (score) paired with a snack. Look out for Saturday's offering in the Nickel Bar - the Sunshine Spritz which is Grey Goose, peach, turmeric, lemon, smoked salt, soda which comes with an orange & almond cupcake. Sunday, on the other hand, sees Millie's serve The Ned’s Bloody Mary which comes with a cheese straw. Yum.
The Ned x Grey Goose, 2nd-8th October at The Ned.
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